HMRC rejected Self Assessment expenses and excuses

HMRC have released the latest list of imaginative excuses made by individuals who failed to submit their self assessment return by 31 January deadline in 2017.

HMRC have released the latest list of imaginative excuses made by individuals who failed to submit their self assessment return by 31 January deadline in 2017. Excuses include alien sightings and being too busy touring with a one-man play.

HMRC's annual list of outlandish excuses is used to publicise the self assessment deadline of 31 January following the end of the tax year. An automatic £100 penalty applies to those who have the obligation to complete a return and miss the filing deadline, regardless of whether the individual has a tax liability to pay or not.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC's director general of customer services, said:

'Each year we’re making it easier and more intuitive for our customers to complete their tax return, but each year we still come across some questionable excuses, whether that's blaming a busy touring schedule or seeing aliens.'

Here are some of the recent excuses:

I couldn't file my return on time as my wife has been seeing aliens and won't let me enter the house.

I've been far too busy touring the country with my one-man play.

My ex-wife left my tax return upstairs, but I suffer from vertigo and can't go upstairs to retrieve it.

My business doesn't really do anything.

I spilt coffee on it.

HMRC have also released details of some of the weirdest expense claims which include:

A three-piece suite for my partner to sit on when I'm doing my accounts.